Posted on Dec 10, 2020
SGT Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic
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Have a buddy that deployed with the Marines and is now in the Army, how does he go about getting his expeditionary patch on his ERB and Shoulder.
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SFC Retention Operations Nco
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He's not eligible. There's a big misconception that someone who deployed in the Marines gets a combat patch when they join the Army.

The only time that you are authorized to wear a Marine Corps combat patch you were in the army at the time he deployed in support of a marine unit. You will see a lot of prior service Marines in the Army wearing their Marine Corps patch, but they are wrong.

Now, if they earned a Combat Action ribbon in the Marines, they are eligible to put their CAR on their ERB and dress uniform
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SGT Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic
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Okay, so it does rate, it’s just up to the awardee. SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA
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SFC Retired
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As a Marine combat veteran who changes service, I called them out on it when I saw it.
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SFC Retired
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The Combat Action Ribbon does not transfer to a Combat Action Badge. If it was done to someone it was a clerical error and rightfully should be changed back. SGT (Join to see)
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SFC Retention Operations Nco
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SGT (Join to see) no it's not up to the awardee, they don't convert. If someone put a CAB instead of a CAR it means the S1 made a mistake. If that Soldier were to wear a CAB after that, it would be stolen Valor. A CAB, CIB and CMB have very specific award requirements, just like a CAR does. As a rule, awards don't convert, you earned what you earned.
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SFC Michael Hasbun
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NO. You have to be IN THE ARMY during the deployment to rate a deployment patch (SSI-FWTS).

(2) Personnel who served in a designated area as a civilian or a member of another Service, but were not a member of the U.S. Army during one of the specified periods are not authorized to wear the SSI–FWTS.

Reference AR 670-1, 19-17
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MAJ Integration Officer
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What a fukkin shit show.
The dude did his duty, served in a combat zone, and the AR wants to split hairs over service rivalries?!? Fuck that shit. I’m so done with the rotten apple that is the DA
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SFC James Cameron
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This is one the cases where things look weird. I hated being a slick sleeved E-5 with 2 stripes showing deployment time with corresponding and awards and decorations. It just happens to be the nature of the beast though. Marines don’t wear SSI or DUI items. AR 670-1 is clear on the subject as SFC Hasbun provided.
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What constitutes a deployment for Marines to get a deployment patch in the Army?
SSG Intelligence Analyst
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The ONLY authorized patch for prior service marines to wear are the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd marine division patches IF they served attached to an Army unit prior to the 2009 “surge” in Iraq
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SFC Retired
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They are not authorized on any Army uniform. If a Soldier served OPCON with a Marine unit they can be awarded a patch by the USMC but it is not a MarDiv patch. It’s a patch specifically designed for OPCON Soldiers.
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CW2 Electronic Warfare Technician
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No. No Marine patches. The regulation is pretty clear, people just don't enforce it because a spot check means the corrected Soldier may take it off but as soon as correcting Soldier is out of sight it's going right back on. Or no one wants to bother getting in a pissing match with the crusty E8 about their patch. Bottom line is let your buddy know he doesn't get one, but that doesn't change what he/she did on that deployment.
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MAJ Javier Rivera
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Have you ever seen USMC wearing a patch on their uniforms? If you do please take a picture and send it to me; besides the red landing support tabs of course. They don’t! When they deploy and see combat, they qualify for their Combat Action Ribbon; which is a permanent award and goes in their ERB. If you see a former Marine wearing a combat patch because he/she earned it while in the Corps, well... now you know.
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SGT Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic
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I’ve seen soldier wear this because they deployed with the Marines.
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SGT Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic
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This one aswell. I understand Marines don’t wear them, but I’ve seen Soldiers wear them. Which is where my question sits, but I got my answer.
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MAJ Javier Rivera
MAJ Javier Rivera
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Yes SGT (Join to see), you will see a few. It doesn’t mean former Marines get to wear it as well. Perhaps, a glimpse to both AR 670-1 and DA Pam 670-1 might help. Also, the rule for Army personnel to wear USMC patches is due to a waiver given back in 2004 by the Army G1 and rescinded in 2010.
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SGT Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic
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Okay, Roger. Thank you, sir.MAJ Javier Rivera
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SSgt Christophe Murphy
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So your friend was in the Marines and deployed and is now in the Army and wants to wear a patch for the Marine Deployment?

I guess it would be worth asking the question to find out. I would be curious if they would allow it or not.
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SSG(P) Casualty Operations Ncoic
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CPT (Join to see) - Pretty spot on, sir. The reg on SSI/FWTS patches was an ALARACT back in 2005, and has been rolled into the latest AR 670-1. Basically the short version is: If you deployed as a company sized element or larger, your unit patch is also your SSI/FWTS.

While you are correct that there is no official notation of "combat patches" in one's record, if you deployed, your ERB/ORB should have a notation in the "Assignments" section that has your UIC, Unit designation, and then the notation, "OIF - FWD" or "OEF - FWD" to show that you have deployed to a combat zone. Your Short/Long Tour record in the upper-left section of the ERB/ORB will also record your tours.
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CPT Senior Instructor
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SP5 Peter Keane That's why I used the "s when I said it.
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CPT Senior Instructor
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SSG(P) (Join to see) But you won't have a way of knowing what patch really. When I commissioned my enlisted time was wiped. I have two deployments when I was enlisted. Plus my unit was deactivated also. I do get some questions why I wear an airborne MI patch.
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SSG(P) Casualty Operations Ncoic
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CPT (Join to see) - True that, sir. But anyone who knows the reg has only to look at what unit you deployed with, and unless you were one of the exceptions to the reg (CID being one) or you deployed in less than company strength, that unit's patch is your SSI/FWTS. As for your Airborne MI patch-- I don't question the patches worn on the right side, because I know that many units used to be Airborne/Jump-Status but lost that status I think in 2009. So on Bragg, I see lots of 20th Engineer patches with and without the "Airborne" tab. I've also seen the 25th ID patches with and without the "Airborne" tab, because I think only the 4th BDE 25th ID is actually "Airborne"/Jump-Status now.
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LTC Eugene Chu
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He should talk with his chain of command and get a referral to his unit S-1 or HR unit. Although Army can wear Marine awards on dress uniform, updating records and wearing combat deployment patch may require additional follow-up action
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SFC Retired
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Awards yes. Patch, no. It isn’t authorized. 670-1 is quite clear about it.
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SFC Retired
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He doesn’t. It is not authorized. US Marines do not wear “combat patches” regarldell if length of deployment. The only personnel authorized a USMC “combat patch” are Soldiers who were OPCON attached to the Marines. If they are provided the letter from the USMC they are authorized a patch designed for OPCON Soldiers. They are not authorized any Matine Corps unit patches.
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